Some Republicans worried of which Jim Jordan may run for House speaker

Even though McCarthy can be seen as the favorite, a Jordan run for speaker could also create divisions within the congressional GOP in addition to also also actually hurt McCarthy’s chances, according to aides who have been involved with past leadership elections.

Jordan could siphon conservative votes via McCarthy, for instance. of which, in turn, could leave the House GOP undecided on who should be the next speaker, raising the possibility of which the California Republican could drop out under pressure via the Freedom Caucus.

of which could turn into an opening for the House majority whip, Steve Scalise of Louisiana. He has said he might not run against McCarthy for speaker although has not publicly ruled out running against another opponent.

“Scalise won’t run against McCarthy. However, if McCarthy steps back in addition to also also drops out because he doesn’t contain the votes because Jordan has coalesced conservatives against him, then Scalise can be waiting from the wings as the fall back,” a source with direct knowledge of the matter told CNBC.

Scalise, McCarthy in addition to also also Jordan all identify as conservatives, although they each have distinguished themselves in specific ways via political in addition to also also policy perspectives. McCarthy has championed cuts in spending, while Jordan has pushed for releasing classified material relating to special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe. Scalise, meanwhile, has sponsored several bills of which might reduce regulations on the oil in addition to also also gas industries.

A spokesman for Scalise said his boss might not run against McCarthy — although declined to speculate on a scenario in which McCarthy might be forced out of the speaker’s race. In 2015, McCarthy was considered the favorite to replace John Boehner as speaker, although he yielded to Ryan amid pressure via the Freedom Caucus.